#FirstHand #Video #Feb20

1945 | Admiralty Centre
Officers in riot gear stopped and searched citizens at Admiralty Centre, including a First aider. They were later released.
#PoliceState

HK Government Lets Diamond Princess Cruise Passengers Wear Masks That Might Spread Coronavirus

Passengers evacuated by the HK Government from the Diamond Princess Cruise were seen wearing respirators with valves.

According to a study published on The Annals of Occupational Hygiene, the N95 respirators with valves "may allow the spread of any infectious agents that are carried by the respirator wearer."

The first charter flight evacuating PRC nationals, Macau citizens and Hong Kong citizens from Japan arrives at the Hong Kong International Airport in the morning of Feb 20. They are passengers of the Diamond Princess Cruise where an outbreak of Wuhan pneumonia has occured. As of Feb 19, at least 621 passengers have been infected.

According to the Japanese authorities in Okinawa, 2 confirmed cases of Wuhan pneumonia are both drivers who were allegedly infected after exposing to the Cruise passengers.

Source: Up Media; iCable; "Respiratory Performance Offered by N95 Respirators and Surgical Masks"
#Feb20

#HongKongProtests #FightforFreedom #StandwithHongKong
Three Months After the Police Siege of #PolyU

"A cold hearth could be rekindled,
But a cold heart can never be rekindled.
Please keep your heart warm."

20.02.2020 Hong Kong

Source: Internet #Feb20

#DailyUpdate #Feb20 #COVID19

COVID-19 Updates (20/2):

The total number of infected is now standing at 75778 where the number of deaths at today 21:30. More than 74570 confirmed cases and 2119 deaths are from mainland China.

The Chinese authorities have again revised the reporting standard. The number of new cases spiked last week after Hubei health officials they counted cases to include those diagnosed clinically using lung imaging tests. Now they switched back to use lab tests to confirm cases.

Multiple People Liberation Army soldiers from the Eastern Theater Command have been quarantined, including the commander of Type 054A Frigate, Yu Songqiu.

Chinese experts warned COVID-19 would stay among human communities like influenza.

2 deaths are reported on Diamond Princess; both of the deceased passengers are over 80 years old. These are the first reported deaths on the cruise ship.

106 Hong Kong residents onboard Diamond Princess returned via the first chartered plane this morning. They were sent to Chun Yeung Estate in Fo Tan for quarantine.

65 Hong Kong residents and 33 close contacts would be staying in Japan for treatment and quarantine.

The second chartered plane from HKSAR, originally planned to take flight tonight, will be delayed.

In Hong Kong, the work from home arrangements for civil servants would be extended to 1st March.

29 casinos in Macau are reopened.

CDC issued “Level 1” warning for travel to Hong Kong. American nationals are suggested to avoid or delay trip to Hong Kong.

Multiple cities in Japan, including Tokyo, Sagamihara, Hokkaido, Nagoya and Okinawa have 9 confirmed cases in total reported. This gives 93 to the total cases in the country.

South Korea has 53 cases newly confirmed, raising the total to 104. Plus, the first fatal case is reported. Korean authorities warned social outbreak has started.

Health Ministry of Iran confirmed the 2 individuals died after tested positive for coronavirus. It also confirmed 3 newly admitted cases.

Australia expected to extend travel ban from China for another week

According to South Korean reports, the first individual confirmed with COVID-19 in North Korea has been executed.

Source: Now News, Worldmeter, People's Liberation Army Daily, The Sydney Morning Herald, Reuters

China Decorates Coach Transporting Hong Kong Citizens in Japan With PRC-styled Slogan and Symbol

On Facebook, the PRC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Special Office in Hong Kong describes that their Vice-Agent Song Ruan and PRC's Consul General in Japan Zhan Kongchao received Hong Kong government officials like Deputy Director-General of the Security Bureau Au Chi-kwong, and Director of Immigration Tseng Kwok-wei at Yokohama ferry terminal, where Diamond Princess cruise is anchored.

A bus was there to bring enlisted passengers to board the charter flight to Hong Kong provided by Cathay Pacific and arranged by the Hong Kong Government at Tokyo Haneda Airport.

The bus had, however, become a site of PR show where PRC flags and a banner "Leave, let's go home" in simplified Chinese, a writing system not used in Hong Kong but China, were hung.

The PRC's Ministry said they "wish all Hong Kong passengers a safe flight. The great motherland will always back its people" on facebook.

Source: Stand News #Feb20

Medical Association: Coronavirus outbreak yet under control

Dr Choi Kin, former president of the Hong Kong Medical Association, criticized the World Health Organization's claim that there is no need to wear a mask when there is no signs of illness is inappropriate. Choi countered that there had already been many "Invisible patients" spreading the virus, if people do not wear masks, the outbreak will not stop. He doubted, "I am not sure whether the government has exercised their independent thinking, and it is not necessary to follow the WHO recommendations word by word blindly".

When taking a group photo, Choi, the only person in the audience wearing a black mask suddenly showed pro-democracy protest slogan "five demands, not one less" by raising 5 fingers on one hand and one on the other.

Source: inmediahk.net
Graphic Source: Stand News

#Feb20 #ChinaCoronavirus #MedicalAssociation

Hong Kong Airlines lays off 160 employees, Flight attendants protest at company premises

On 19 Feb, the Hong Kong Airlines issued lay- off notices to over 160 employees, who were invited to a briefing on 20 Feb at the company office.

The Hong Kong Cabin Crew Federation said that they would join the laid-off flight attendants and voice their questions at the company headquarters.

Source: Stand News #Feb20
#ChinesePneumonia #HongKongProtests #GlobalEconomy

At least 2 Coronavirus infection cases imported from Macau, HKSAR government maintains free access via HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

Both the 25th and 62nd confirmed cases of new Coronavirus in Hong Kong came to Hong Kong via Macau, and the Macao authorities informed on Wednesday (Feb 19) of the tracking results. Both patients arrived in Hong Kong on February 6 by the same buses, taking the Macau bus 101X and then arriving on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge via the shuttle bus services.

The 25th confirmed case lives in Zhuhai and works in Macau, which is an imported case, while the 62nd case showed onset of symptoms on February 11. Possibly, cross-infection could have taken place on the buses.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Authority announced earlier that from February 18, all vehicles would be exempt from toll until end of the epidemic, yet it is worrying that frequent travelling could exacerbate the outbreak of new Coronavirus.

Source: RTHK #Feb20 #ChineseCoronavirus

#Masks #ChinesePneumonia
Public Hospital cuts down N95 mask supply, causing fear among medical staff for higher risk of Coronavirus infection

There are "invisible patients of Wuhan Pneumonia" in Hong Kong, yet the provision of protective gears in public hospitals has been shrinking.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is suspected of banning frontline staff from wearing N95 masks for colonoscopy and gastroscopy examination, causing deep concerns on the growing risks of infection.

Medics pointed out that the faeces of Wuhan pneumonia patients may carry coronavirus, coupled with the fact that in public hospitals, gastroscopy examination is conducted without anaesthetic. In any case, if an invisible patient coughs during the examination, conducting gastroscopy and colonoscopy without proper protective gear pose a high risk of infection.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital did not respond directly to the matter, only saying that public hospitals had developed guidelines for using masks.

Source: Apple Daily #Feb20

#Newspaper #Feb20
Hong Kong and Macau university students studying in Taiwan must undergo home quarantine upon entering Taiwan

A Macau student studying in Pingtung, Taiwan entered the country on 6 Feb and his home quarantine expired on 20 Feb. However, according to his mobile phone's GPS location, the Public Health Bureau found that he did not stay in his dormitory. He went out eight times in two days. The town chief visited the dormitory to question him but he denied going out. The Public Health Bureau is now investigating the case.

The town chief stated that two local universities were about to start a new semester and that many students would return to school. He indicated that epidemic prevention must stringent. If Public Health Bureau's investigation is confirmed, the college student may be fined up to 150,000 NTD.

Source: PNN
https://bit.ly/39TfwWH

#Taiwan #WuhanPneumonia #Macau #Quarantine #Pingtung

#LabourUnion #Statement
Civil Servants Union Responds to Hong Kong Government: We Regret to Hear Your Regret

1. Whether it is a "critical moment" or the epidemic was "under control", the government should adopt an agreed-on stance.

2. The government should not undermine freedom of expression and of assembly in the name of combating the Wuhan Pneumonia.

3. The government should ensure a balanced distribution of resources.

Read more: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/17825

Source: UNCS Response
#Feb20 #UNCS #CivilServants

#LabourUnion #Statement
Civil Servants Union Responds to Hong Kong Government: We Regret to Hear Your Regret

The Union for New Civil Servants (UNCS) organized a rally on 19 February to express their strong distain for the government's apathetic attitude towards the epidemic. The government then released a statement expressing disappointment towards the action, citing that all civil servants should have a responsibility of following the government's policies to combat the virus and corroborate with other sectors of the society.

UNCS releases the following responses:

1. The government spokesperson stated that Hong Kong stands in a "critical moment" in combating the virus, yet Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung had claimed that the epidemic was "under control" a few days prior.

UNCS called for the government to adopt an agreed-on stance regarding the state of the epidemic in Hong Kong, as conflicts between the statements may cause confusion among the public and civil servants.

2. UNCS wished that the government would not undermine civil servants' and civilians' freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in the name of combating the Wuhan Pneumonia.

3. The government spokesperson stated that "the distribution of protective gear was based on the risks involved in the duties assigned", while the Chief Executive had also emphasized that all protective gear are to be reserved for medical staff first.

Yet many news sources had indicated that the police, who were assigned to only man their cordon received far more protective gear than medical staff and staff from the Fire and Ambulance Services, who serve in the frontline against this epidemic.

UNCS questioned whether this imbalance in the distribution of resources is a direct violation of the CE's orders or a reversal in priority in government policy.

Source: Government Statement; UNCS Response
#Feb20 #UNCS #CivilServants

#Denialism #NationalEducation
Chauvinism Or Cajolery?:
Patriotic Rhetoric in Textbooks for Primary Students Went Viral

Netizens shared texts from a new general studies textbooks, a mandatory subject in primary schools, and immediately went viral on the internet. On the matter of Hong Kong history, the book called British establishment of the Hong Kong colony as an "occupation", and stressed that Hong Kong, despite under the sovereignty of the UK, remained a "Chinese territory".

Critics questioned whether the curriculum was able provide students with an impartial and accurate view of history, calling the move political by pointing to Vladivostok, a Russian occupied territory of China only since Late Qing.

Editor's Note:
Hong Kong's mandatory education system is a two tier-system. About 5-6 years old, children will be enrolled into primary school and would study there for 6 years, after which they will study at secondary schools for 6 more years. Usually children will enroll in pre-class or kindergarten before primary school.

Source:
https://m.facebook.com/shensimon/

Further reading:
Vice-principal suspended over a poem shared on social media
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/17930

#Feb20 #HistoricalNegationism #Education

#MyanmarProtest #PoliceBrutality
Myanmar Riot Police Shot Live Bullets Again, Killing at Least 2 Civilians

Photos: https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28698

On Feb 20, 2021, the Mynamar police again shot live rounds at civilians who have been protesting against the coup d'etat initiated by the military junta on Feb 1.

According to local media DVB Burmese, the army started shooting at the crowd at 2pm in Mandalay and fired 300 to 400 live rounds. It was reported that at least 2 civilians were killed, among other injuries.

One confirmed victim is a 36-year-old carpenter. He was shot in the chest and died on the way to the hospital. Another victim was shot in the head and died on site. The local officials were, however, unable to confirm the exact number of casualty.

According to sources, the police also deployed water canon truck and tear gas grenades to disperse anti-coup civilians. Protesters were seen severely injured in the head after being hit by the police baton. At least one man was wounded in his eye. On the Internet, the photos of a bullet wounded boy were also circulated.

One week ago, Thwate Thwate Khaing, aged 20, was shot in the head by the riot police. She died in the hospital on Feb 19, 2021, being the first protest fatality in the Myanmar protest against the military coup since early February.

Burmese human rights organization, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (#AAPP), between February 1 and 18, 2021, the authorities arrested at least 521, including civilians, activists, journalists, writers, monks, student leaders, as well as politicians and officials in the ousted National League for Democracy Party (NLD)-led government. Among them, 477 were still detained or charged.

Source: CNN; The Guardian; Stand News #Feb20
https://bit.ly/2NOa9CI

Photos: STR/AFP via Getty Images; Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images; Internet

#Censorship #PoliticalArrest #ThisisChina
Chinese Authorities Arrest Former Reporter and Netizen for Weibo Comments

On February 19, 2021, China’s state broadcaster released footage of China-India border clash in June 2020, in which four Chinese #PLA soldiers were killed.

On the same day, former Chinese reporter Chou Ze-ming (仇子明) wrote on his #Weibo page ridiculing the Chinese troop commander who survived the clash. He also questioned the casualties of the clash could be more than four.

Chao’s Weibo account was reportedly put to freeze for one year. On February 20, 2021, Chao was even arrested and detained on suspicion of "provoking disturbances". Another citizen, surnamed Chan was also arrested for spreading comments denigrating Chinese soldiers.

Source: Stand News; #Feb20

#MassSurveillance #ChineseNetizens #ChaoZeMing #SocialMedia

#NationalSecurityLaw #FreedomOfSpeech #WhiteTerror
CityU student union under national security investigation following parting ceremony in campus

Source: Inmediahk; #Feb20

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

#NationalSecurityLaw #FreedomOfSpeech #WhiteTerror
CityU student union under national security investigation following parting ceremony in campus

City University of Hong Kong (#CityU) Student Union is being investigated by national security police after an on-campus parting ceremony on February 14, sources claimed. 

On February 7, the university announced it would take back the student union's premises in seven days, saying the union failed to submit its audit report for years.

The union held a farewell ceremony at its office on the afternoon of February 14 before moving out.

Around 30 students dressed in black gathered at the student union office, before leading the march on campus.

Over 100 have joined the march at its peak.

It was understood that the National Security Department has begun gathering evidence on campus.

When asked if CityU had reported the protest to the authorities, the school said: "the national security issues that arose was unforeseen. As it had attracted widespread attention, it didn't necessitate the school's reporting the incident."

Source: Inmediahk; #Feb20
https://bit.ly/3s1uRjP

===
Related Article
“Resist till the end”: Hong Kong Student Union leaders vow to carry on their fight for students’ right and academic freedom
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32271?single
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